Among the largest employment sectors showing growth were the construction industry, which grew 6.3 percent in January and added 3,100 jobs (thanks in part to a mild winter), the transportation and utilities sector, which grew 0.7 percent and added 2,100 positions, and the education and health services sector, which grew 0.5 percent and added 1,500 jobs.

Labor Department statistics show that over the past year, the largest job losses have occurred in the state and local government sector, which lost a combined 4,400 jobs, or nearly 2 percent of its workforce.

“This jobs report is a clear sign that things are looking up for the Connecticut economy,” Senator Duff said. “Getting people back to work is a top priority that contributes to the overall economic vitality of our communities, the state and the region. Now we must build on this momentum by continuing to support legislation that will help small businesses expand and grow jobs.”

So far, according to the Labor Department, Connecticut has now recovered 35,900, or about a third, of the non-farm jobs it lost in the national recession which began in March 2008 and which technically concluded in February 2010.